"Ah, you know your ancient Greeks. They understood... That war is a god. A god who requires human sacrifice. In exchange, war gives man purpose. Meaning. A chance to rise above his petty mortal little self and be courageous. Noble. Better."

The real life Erich Ludendorff died of liver cancer in the private clinic Josephinum in Munich, on 20 December 1937 at the age of 72. He was given — against his explicit wishes — a state funeral organized and attended by Hitler, who declined to speak at his eulogy. He was buried in the Neuer Friedhof in Tutzing.

The real Erich Ludendorff also shared little resemblance with Danny Huston's version. In reality, he had a large mustache and a less than impressive physique.